Abingdon School Bursary

[Eroll]

Does anyone have any info on getting a bursary with Abingdon ? I think we are within their criteria or maybe not as I guess we could sell the house 😩. My Son is very bright and focused and think he’d thrive at a school like this. His Sister goes to our local Secondary school and is doing really well there so I am torn a bit. I think he would do better with other geeky kids for friendships as well he’s struggling a bit with that atm at the little primary school. He has a memory like an elephant and picks everything up!

.

I’ve heard that they can be quite stingy with bursaries because they don’t have very deep pockets compared with other independent schools locally. Are you applying to any others?

Oh really. No I haven’t thought beyond this atm we have a few years to go. As they are a selective school more so than other private schools I thought he may have a chance as he really is super bright (photographic memory type thing) . Saying that I don’t want to constantly be in a situation of stress over the fees even with a bursary. To put it into context his Uncle was a Quantum Physicist so I think that’s where he may get it from.. not me 😆

My son was offered a place and we applied for a bursary but weren't offered anything. It's the value of the house I imagine as we certainly don't earn very much.

The most generous schools are the old boarding schools. I’ve heard of really generous bursaries from Winchester, Harrow and Rugby, especially to children with something special to offer like your son. They all start from age 13, so it’s worth looking at a local prep school with experience of applying to schools like that first.

Don’t educate your kids differently - especially don’t give your DS an opportunity your DD didn’t have. It creates lifelong sibling resentment. I’ve seen it among friends who had the same dynamic.

If you live near Abingdon, have a look at Radley: they have a special really generous scholarship from age 11 for bright boys from state schools.

Thanks everyone lots to think about and quite honestly we wouldn't put him into a boarding school and there aren't many other good day options nearby. Its starting to feel more stressful than its worth and we have a great state school so I figure if he's bright he'll do well anywhere. To be honest i was more worried about him needing friendships with other clever clogs.

Contact the school, explain the situation and see what they say. How much a school offers depends on how much they have to offer, but also on how much they need/want a particular skill set.

Please don’t let people you don’t know on the internet dissuade you from pursuing a bursary/scholarship for your child.
The school will be able to give you all the information you might need.
Good luck. Picking schools is very stressful!